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23 hours ago
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Jammu and Kashmir has been experiencing extreme weather for three weeks, resulting in over 105 deaths and 32 persons going missing after heavy rain
Over the past three weeks, Jammu and Kashmir has been witnessing extreme weather, in which over 105 people have been killed and 32 are missing. On August 14, heavy rain and landslides wreaked havoc in the Chashoti area of Kishtwar, especially along the Machail Mata Yatra route. At least 65 people, mostly pilgrims, were killed, and 32 are still missing.
Rescue operations by the National Disaster Response Force, State Disaster Response Force, Army, and NGOs have helped in saving people. The rehabilitation process is still ongoing.
Just days later, incessant rain triggered a massive landslide near Katra on the Vaishno Devi pilgrimage route in Reasi district on August 26, in which at least 34 pilgrims were killed. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah criticised the decision to continue the pilgrimage amid severe weather warnings in Katra.
Similarly, heavy rain in Kathua claimed the lives of seven people, including five children, and submerged villages in flash floods. Scores of public properties, bridges, and homes were damaged and submerged by the furious floods. The region has shattered 115-year rainfall records, with 296 mm falling in Jammu within 24 hours — marking the highest rainfall since 1910.
The rivers in Jammu had swollen into frightening serpentine monsters, damaging and severely disrupting roads, rail links, electrical networks, as well as mobile phone and Internet services.
In Kashmir, the Jhelum and its tributaries also swelled to alarming levels, with water entering some areas of southern Kashmir as well as Srinagar city. It brought back scary memories of the 2014 floods, but fortunately, the rivers calmed as there was no rain on August 28.
Parts of Himachal Pradesh, including Kullu, were also affected by heavy rain.
Environmentalists and urban planning experts have blamed rampant construction in the mountains and flawed urban planning for the flooding of the towns and cities. They have said that the government must reconsider its development policy and ensure sustainable development.
Havoc unleashed: The village of Chashoti in Kishtwar district of Jammu and Kashmir was among the worst-aected by the floods.
Storm’s toll: Vehicles damaged in the flash floods
To the rescue: Stranded pilgrims are helped across a water channel using a makeshift bridge a day after the flash floods.
Photo: ANI
Wrath of the river: A view of the overflowing Beas river after incessant rain in Kullu
Wrath of the river: A view of the overflowing Beas river after incessant rain in Kullu
Trail of destruction: Damaged homes and vehicles in Chashoti.
Silent sentinel: A bridge over the swollen Jhelum stands deserted in Srinagar.
Grave loss: A woman breaks down after the death of a relative.
Away from danger: The Jammu and Kashmir Police evacuate people after water entered houses due to heavy rain in Srinagar.
Anxious wait: People stand in a queue for relief materials after flash floods caused by torrential rain in Jammu.
English (US) ·